In 2005 the United States Congress directed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to develop the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP). The program provided more than $25 million in contract authority to four pilot communities and counties: Columbia, Missouri; Marin County, California; the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, and Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Funds were directed to be used for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and non-motorized facility programs.

Initial results appear promising: From 2007 to 2013, the pilot communities observed an estimated 22.8 percent increase in the number of walking trips and an estimated 48.3 percent increase in the number of bicycling trips.

This report analyzes the results through December 2013 of the NTPP in terms of program implementation, transportation mode shift toward walking and bicycling and associated improvements pertaining to access and mobility, safety and public health, and the environment and energy.

Transportation and the Environment—Transportation investments, services and incentives should meet our travel needs, promote economic prosperity and environmental justice, preserve and protect open space, scenic resources and agricultural land, protect and enhance the integrity of natural resource systems and wild places and improve air and water quality.

Ten Years Of Progress—Examples include Enhancing Health, Safety, and Security, Conserving Energy and Enhancing the Environment, Creating Equitable and Livable Communities, and Promoting Economic Prosperity.

Second Nature: Improving Transportation Without Putting Nature Second

4/22/2003

Second Nature—The United States is approaching a crossroads; unimpeded urbanization may soon collide with the limits of our country’s natural resources. The rate of this urbanization surpasses population growth, and threatens to overwhelm previous victories in environmental protection.

The CMAQ Program—More than $2 Billion of Unused Potential—The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program (CMAQ) was created under ISTEA in 1991. Lawmakers established the innovative program to help fund regional and local efforts to achieve compliance with national air quality standards set under the Clean Air Act.

Transportation Project Delays

9/19/2002

Transportation Project Delays—Recent reports from the Federal Highway Administration and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials suggest that problems with transportation project delays will not be solved by diluting widely-supported environmental laws.

Transportation and Health The transportation system in communities affects health and safety, often engineering out opportunities for physical activity while increasing exposure to hazardous high-speed traffic and automobile pollution…

Pedestrian Poll

4/1/2003

Pedestrian Poll 2002 A new national survey on attitudes toward walking finds that the American public wants to walk more places more often, and is willing to invest in making it possible.

Mean Streets (2002)

11/21/2002

Mean Streets 2002 STPP’s “Mean Streets 2002″ report is the latest study in a series that looks at the perils facing pedestrians, why where you live matters, and how states aren’t spending enough to fix the problem.

Summary of Safe Routes To School Programs (2002)

11/4/2003

Safe Routes To School A summary of SRTS programs across the United States, including listings of programs in California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, and Washington.

Decoding Transportation Policy & Practice, reducing deaths and injuries through safer streets. Despite the gains that have been made in traffic safety programs in the U.S., traffic crashes are still the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 4 and 33.